Page 89 of Zimyra

I’m speechless. Why the heck would my brother invite him to our family cookout?

“It’s at our place next Saturday,” Zavier says. “Feel free to join us if you can.”

“Maybe I will.”

“Alright. Come on, son,” Zavier says, taking Kaden from my grasp.

“Bye, Uncle Assel. Bye, Aunt Mywah.”

“I’ll see you later, buddy,” Axel says.

“Bye. See y’all later,” I tell them.

When they walk away, I shake my head and say, “Why did you have to embarrass me like that?”

“Embarrass you?I’mthe one who’s embarrassed. You didn’t even invite me to the family cookout.”

“That’s because you’re not family.”

“I am now.”

“Stop playing with me, Axel.”

“I am. I’m going to be around for a long time. You’ll see.”

I take a sip of water and say, “Alright. Let’s walk. I have to get home and cook dinner.”

“For us?” he asks.

“No. You’re going home.”

CHAPTER 25

On the way back toher apartment, she falls asleep, much to my satisfaction. When she said she was having trouble sleeping, I believed her. She slept hard in my arms last night. She has a lot of sleep to catch up on. That’s why when I pull up at her complex, I don’t want to wake her. I sit here a minute and look at her. It felt so natural walking next to her today as if we’ve been doing it for an eternity – walking beside each other and enjoying each other’s company. I learned some things about her today that left me baffled. She’s completely pristine, amazing and funny. She’s a joy to be around. Why would a woman of her moral fortitude want a man like me? After all the woman I’ve run through, all the partying I’ve done, all the life I’ve lived, the truth is she could do a lot better than me.

But I’m not going to let that happen. I have to convince her that I’m the man who is the opposite of everything she thinks is wrong about men. About me. It’s not an easy task, but it’s definitely a worthwhile one.

“Zimyra,” I say evenly, touching her arm so I don’t alarm her.

She moves and yawns, stretching her body. “Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

“Mmm,” she moans softly and stretches again. “Where are we?”

“We’re back at your place.”

She yawns and stretches her body, her breasts poking out while her back arches.

“You’re tired, sweetheart. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner?”

“No. I’d rather be home.”

“Then, I’ll pick up something for us.”

“Axel—I’m in a cooking mood today…think I’ll just do that, but thank you for the offer.”

Great…

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